Navigating a Divorce with Children

Licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist Mitchel Eisenstein, LCSW, offers comprehensive telehealth counseling services that help you successfully manage life transitions like divorce.

The emotional well-being of children can be impacted significantly by the dissolution of their parents' marriage. Consider these tips from Mitchel regarding how to support your kids throughout the process.

Strategies for navigating a divorce when you have children

Divorce isn’t easy, but there are steps you can take to support your children as they cope with the many changes it brings to their lives:

Communicate

If possible, both parents should sit down with their children to explain the divorce, ensuring the conversation is age-appropriate and honest. Reassure them by avoiding blame and clarifying the divorce isn’t their fault. Let them know both parents will continue to love and care for them.

Offer emotional support

Encourage questions and allow your children to express their feelings. Answer their questions honestly while providing adult-size support by validating their feelings, whether they’re sad, angry, or confused.

Address their fears about the life-changing consequences of divorce, from adjusting routines to losing friends to changing schools or neighborhoods.

Provide stability and routine

Keep daily routines and schedules as consistent as possible to provide stability. Develop a clear co-parenting plan that includes living arrangements, visitation schedules, holidays, and special occasions.

Allow time for adjustment

Adjusting to a new family dynamic takes time. Be patient with your children and with yourself as you navigate this transition. Recognize that setbacks and emotional ups and downs are normal parts of the process.

Develop healthy co-parenting skills

When applicable, develop healthy co-parenting strategies by maintaining open, respectful communication with your ex-partner regarding the children. Avoid speaking negatively about the other parent in front of the children.

Depending on your custody arrangements, cooperate with your ex on important decisions related to the children’s education, health, and welfare.

Manage the legal complexities

Work with a lawyer to ensure that all legal aspects of the divorce, including custody arrangements, are correctly handled. Ensure that financial issues are transparent and fair when addressing child support and the division of assets.

Seek professional help

Consider family counseling or individual therapy for your children to help them process their emotions in a healthy way.

Manage your health and well-being

Mitchel recommends that adults involved in a divorce consider counseling to help manage their feelings and considerations about the transition. 

He offers cognitive behavioral therapy, stress management, and other highly effective therapies that help overcome anxiety, depression, and other issues related to divorce.

Mitchel also provides guidance on self-care through maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, establishing healthy sleep habits, and managing changing routines. That helps supply the energy required to be present and supportive of your children.

Parents who assume a healthy leadership role help ensure their children are offered the best opportunities for growth and well-being during and after a divorce. 

Schedule a visit with Mitchel Eisenstein, LCSW today by calling the East Setauket, New York, office or requesting an appointment online.